Five Indians freed from Somalian pirates’ captivity
Original Source: NDTV India
Five employees of Dubai-based 'Royal Grace' ship, who were held captive by Somali pirates for the last one year, have been released along with the remaining 17 crew, information received by the family of one of the hostages said today.
Mohanan Pillai, father of Manesh, said his son telephoned him to inform about the release of all the five Keralites who were among 22 hostages (17 Indians, 3 Nigerians, 1 Pakistani, 1 Bangladeshi) released by Somali pirates after the shipping company paid a hefty ransom to the abductors, and that they were now leaving for Oman.
Pillai said his son did not convey any other detail about their release.
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs had been persistently trying to secure the release of the five hostages in consultation with the Nigerian ship owner. A delegation of the Kerala government left for Oman on Friday to receive them.
Manesh, Mithun (Palakkad), Stanley Vincent (Thrissur), Dibin Davis (Pathanamthitta) and Arjun (Thiruvananthapuram) were the five persons taken hostages by the pirates.
The shipping company reportedly paid a ransom of $ 17 lakh to ensure the safe return of the crew.
Further initial reports claim MT Smyrni, hijacked 10 May 2012, may also be released shortly.
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